Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Back to Los Chiles

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica

Los Chiles

One day covers the Río Frío riverside walk, a boat tour, and a night in a budget hotel; longer stays only for border‑crossing trips.

Los Chiles is a small border town in northern Costa Rica, best explored on foot. The main attractions are the Río Frío wildlife corridor and nearby Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Bus connections to Quesada and San José make day trips easy, and a few budget hotels provide simple overnight options.

AlajuelaAtenasBijagua de UpalaBrasilitoBribriCabo MatapaloCahuitaCarateCartagoCurridabatDominicalDrake BayEsterillosFinca SonadorLos Chiles100 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Costa Rica
Best months
check
Avoid
check
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CRC
Money
Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
Daily spend
Backpacker ₡33,000–48,000 excl. bed · Mid-range ₡90,000–150,000 excl. bed · Comfort ₡240,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
Emergency
Police 911 · Fire and ambulance 911
Plugs
Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
Water
Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
Toilets
Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Bus San José – Los Chiles₡2,100
Soda meal (e.g., Soda Andrea)₡1,200–3,300
Budget hotel night₡10,000–12,000

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

LSL · Los Chiles Airport
Small grass runway, no scheduled commercial service
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Town is walkable; streets are numbered. Buses run hourly to Quesada and twice daily to San José.

See and do

Known for

  • Río Frío wildlife walk
  • Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
  • Border market with San Carlos, Nicaragua

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Caño Negro Wildlife RefugeLocal bus from Los Chiles to the refuge entrance, about 45 min≈ 1 h total
Río Frío riverside walkWalk north from the dock along the marked trail≈ 30 min round trip

Sleep

Hotel y Restaurante Wilson Tulipán
≈ ₡10,000–12,000 per night, free Wi‑Fi, breakfast
Cabinas Jabiru
≈ ₡8,000–10,000, near bus station

Language

Spanish, with 'usted' used even among friends in much of the country and 'mae' as the everyday word for 'dude'. English is widely spoken in tourism; Limón Creole on the Caribbean coast.

  • 'Pura vida' means hello, thanks, fine and goodbye.
  • Addresses use landmarks ('200 m north of the church'); use Waze pins instead.

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
  • Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
  • Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
  • Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals

Scams and watch-outs

  • Direct bus to San José departs at 11:00 and 15:00; seats fill quickly.
  • Boat service to San Carlos, Nicaragua has been suspended since 2018.
  • Border crossing can involve long queues; bring cash for fees.

Generally safe; stay aware of petty theft in markets and possible long queues at the border crossing.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Los Chiles yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Río Frío wildlife walk
  • Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
  • Border market with San Carlos, Nicaragua

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Los Chiles

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police911
  • Fire and ambulance911

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/los-chiles-costa-rica). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.